Director of Family & Graduate Housing for University Housing

University Housing - Family & Graduate Housing

University Housing provides an essential element of the Illinois experience, with hundreds of employees across seven units working together to build and maintain safe, healthy and welcoming homes for our residents. We value the many diverse voices, opinions, experiences and identities of the Illinois community, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into each of our interactions, programs and decisions.

The Family & Graduate Housing team manages the housing units and leasing process for the students, visiting scholars, and families living in our apartment complexes and graduate-upper division residence halls. We offer a wide range of programming and support for all of our students and families. This includes providing services for our international community, operating an after-school program, hosting events for all residents and much more.

Job Summary

Duties & Responsibilities

Unit Leadership and Supervision

• Provide direction and leadership to the University Family & Graduate Housing unit, which is comprised of two areas: residential supervision and operations, and administrative services and operations. Responsibilities also include directing children's programming and support.
• Manage a complex staff of approximately 15 full-time employees and 50 student employees, encompassing supervision, training, professional development, performance review, related employee processes. Provide long-range employment planning and departmental succession planning.
• Oversee the development, review, and implementation of the Illinois Residential Experience (IRE). Partner with other university departments or local community resources to implement effective educational, recreational, cultural and social programs, and activities to support residents and families.
• Regularly utilize evidence-based decision making and assessment information in determining best practices for the family & graduate housing program. Regularly benchmark unit performance with peer institutions (i.e. Illinois, Big Ten etc.).
• Provide year-round on-call support to professional staff members for problem-solving and crisis response.
• Engage in and implement University Housing’s inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives.

Budget Management, Administration and Student Advocacy

• Prepare and manage unit operating budget of $17 million. Maintain accurate records, monitor expenditures and approve purchases. Recommend competitive rent rates to meet budgetary needs.
• Develop, clarify, enforce and review unit, departmental and university policies and procedures. Ensure a high standard of accountability and consistency. Hear lease and other disciplinary appeals.
• Establish policies and procedures ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations related to apartment operations. Ensure staff receive all required training. Monitor students of concern and report significant issues to appropriate campus leadership.
• Provide quality programs and customer service to maintain occupancy based on industry best-practices. Engage in both short and long-range planning to ensure full occupancy in university-owned facilities through analysis of historical and statistical trends.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide leadership and insight to the strategic direction of University Housing. Serve as a member of the University Housing Executive Team. Lead and serve on strategic working teams and/or projects.
• Collaborate and develop productive relationships with a diverse set of partners within and outside the department, University, and community, including, but not limited to the Counseling Center, Office of the Dean of Students, International Student and Scholar Services, McKinley Health Center, campus cultural programs, University of Illinois Police Department, University Legal Counsel, local school districts and community service agencies. Serve as an advocate for international and graduate resident students and families.
• Advocate for and represent various partners within University Housing to prioritize facilities renovations and improvements. Develop appropriate project requests and program statements for facility enhancements.
• Participate in student affairs donor development opportunities to support new and existing programmatic experiences.
• Represent University Housing in campus, regional, national, and international forums.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Business Management or other related fields.
• Ten (10) professional work experience in a residential higher education setting.
• Five (5) years supervisory experience.
• Background and experience in multi-unit housing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Business Management or other related fields.
• Eleven (11) years working in a university housing setting.
• Progressive supervisory experience with full-time staff.
• Experience in housing operation of 2000+ residents.
• Understanding of higher education and student affairs.
• Knowledge of residential curriculum.
• Significant financial/budgetary responsibility.
• Working knowledge of property management and market competitive pricing.
• Understanding of current trends and issues in the areas of graduate and international students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Supervise and support staff with a wide range of roles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Sound communication skills.
• Collaborate effectively with individuals and partners, including internal and external partners, from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Commitment to inclusion and leadership initiatives.

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. This position occurs in general office conditions. Does include moving around campus to meetings and events. Night, weekend, and holiday on-call responsibilities which may include on-campus response.

Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

The expected start date is as soon as possible after 4/1/2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $115,000 to $135,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.

For more information regarding employment at University Housing, please visit our recruitment website at University Housing Recruitment.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on February 25, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

Candidate Documents

When submitting your application please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references including phone numbers and email addresses.

For further information about this specific position, please contact the Search Chair, Herb Jones (HousingAdmin@illinois.edu). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana is a welcoming community offering the best of both worlds: active city living paired with easygoing affordability. Learn more at: Champaign-Urbana.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1034608
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu